Apple’s much-anticipated revamp to its voice assistant Siri, featuring new AI capabilities, is facing delays. The company is reportedly working through engineering challenges and software bugs tied to Siri’s integration with Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI, which could push back the launch date, according to a Bloomberg report.
The update was originally planned for an April launch – with a beta version release as early as late February – but is now expected in May or later, as the company works to finalize the software. Apple teased the launch of a Siri overhaul at WWDC 2024 last June.
Apple workers testing the new features reportedly say the assistant’s performance remains inconsistent. Still, the company is working quickly to finish the software, the report said.
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Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The delays could also impact future Apple Intelligence updates planned around the launch of the iPhone 17 in September, the report said. Some features originally intended for iOS 19 may now be pushed back to 2026.
The rollout of Apple Intelligence has been anything but smooth, as it’s been prone to glitches and introduced in stages. In December, Siri was integrated with ChatGPT, allowing users to use the chatbot for additional assistance on questions asked via Apple’s voice assistant. But some features have not yet been introduced, such as the ability to better respond to tasks, offer answers with greater personalized insight and do more within apps.
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The Siri overhaul comes at a time when competition in the AI assistant space is heating up, with rivals like OpenAI and Google pushing forward with their own more advanced intelligent assistants. The goal is to make Siri more conversational and capable of handling more everyday tasks.
It also comes as Apple readies Apple Intelligence in China. Last week, news circulated that Apple reportedly is partnering with local firms to bring the software to China later this year, including adaptations to comply with the Chinese government’s expectations of keeping iPhone users from seeing information it doesn’t want them to see.
Rival companies continue to leverage advanced AI tools to lure customers away from the iPhone, many at more competitive prices.
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